Colorado or BUST!

Jeff and I leave tomorrow for the wedding in Colorado and the roadtrip back. Looking forward to getting away for a while, even though it's not going to be any cooler. Hopefully I'll get some sleep along the way as well, but somehow I don't think this is going to be too relaxing of a trip. I'll have lots of pictures and stories to post afterwards. My goal is to get SOME reviewing in before I head to the clinics, but mostly just to de-stress a little. All for now. Be back on the 9th!

Shake, rattle and roll

Yesterday we had a 5.4 earthquake at 11:42 am. Funnily, I was home with some sort of stomach bug and had been passed out until roughly 5 minutes beforehand. Both my roommates were home too, which was nice having them here. At first we just thought it was the train since we're right next to the tracks, but after the initial boom, we realized it was an earthquake and ran outside. We're fine, there's no damage, and now if my cell phone would go back to normal, we could move on. The sad thing is that earthquakes don't really phase me. Maybe because I knew this one wasn't as strong as the Northridge quake back in '94. Maybe I should be more scared by earthquakes because they can cause serious damage. But for some reason, it seemed more fascinating that the earth was going through it's own movements and we were along for the ride. Does that make me a science dork? Even the specialist on the news said that it takes a stronger earthquake in CA to do serious damage than it would in other parts of the world. Maybe I have a sense of confidence because our homes are built differently because we're in earthquake country, and I therefore think I'm safe. Anyway, hope everyone's ok. Welcome back to CA Jocelyn!

On another note, I think it's sad that I was excited that I found gas yesterday for $4.16 a gallon. There's something wrong with that...

I think I'll try defying gravity...

I've been listening to the Wicked soundtrack for the last couple days pretty much non-stop. And having the knack for picking up lyrics at the drop of a hat, I now have a back-up plan and can audition next weekend if I so desire. :) It also makes me want to go see it again to pick up on the finer details of the amazing musical. Thanks Mom and Dad for that wonderful b-day present! I feel very lucky to have seen it while it's still here in LA. (It leaves in September for anyone who wants to see it before it's too late.)

A prospective student came in for his interview today and I was talking to him beforehand and answering his questions. He asked how I liked the program and I told him that it is so rewarding to be in a program that allows you to fulfill your life's passion. No, I was not paid for that answer, but I should at least get a couple thousand off my loans for every person I recruit! I truly meant what I said. In my own way, I'm defying gravity. We all know I've never been one who loves to study and keep her nose in the books until dawn, but I feel a sense of completion learning everything that I am. I feel like this is the place that I am supposed to be right now, and whenever I doubt my capabilities I remind myself that I'm here for a reason and somehow manage to find peace with knowing just that. Anyway, hope that guy gets in!

It's the last week of class...HOORAY!!!! I could get used to only 5 weeks of class. :) It's hard adjusting to not having a summer though. I think that's why I really can't wait for August...a whole month without classes! Today I literally spent all day at school, and the longer I was there, the more I wanted to have a break. This term hasn't been challenging in the academic sense. I wouldn't say the classes are easy, because they're not. I don't think an easy class exists in grad school. But with the ease of having only 2 major classes comes the restlessness and longing to do something outside in the sunshine or anything besides a mental workout for that matter.

I came home the other day to this...

And inside was this...

That was a box I had made for my cousin when she was younger and I used to babysit her over the summer. I had completely forgotten about it until I opened it up and then I just started laughing. Thanks Judy and Megan (and Mom) for this special treat! It indeed was a surprise! :) And Judy...I will post a picture of my bangs someday...you will just have to wait!

Lots to do this next week and a half. Projects to finish, research to do, finals to study for, laundry, packing for the wedding/roadtrip, reviewing for the practicum...the list goes on. I can't remember if I mentioned that I'm no longer in Morro Bay. Due to staffing changes, I am now at the Atascadero office, but I'm just happy that I can still go up to SLO for two weeks! Alright, I'm sure there is something better I could be doing with my time. Although, keeping everyone updated with my incredibly fascinating life IS pretty important! :)

summer time...

...and the livin' isn't so easy! Sorry it's been so long...life's been a bit hectic. HA! When is my life ever not hectic anymore?! Anyway, lots to catch up, and little time to do it in. Here goes...

4th of July was spent up in Kernville. I hitched a ride with Bobby and Betty and the kids. Always an adventure in that car! Two little monkeys jumping on the bed.... :) Jeff's sister and brother-in-law were there as well as his cousin from AZ and her boyfriend. Betty's brother and his family followed us up there as well. Lots of people and lots of fun. The weekend was filled with not too terribly hot weather...well, I can't really say how hot it was exactly for a large part of it since I spent a good part of my time inside with AC. They went white water rafting and quad riding while I studied and made notecards. I joined in on the sea-dooing action on the lake, 1) because I deemed it would be harder for me to get hurt doing that than the other activities and 2) because I needed to get out for at least a little bit. We watched the fireworks over the lake. It was very very WINDY, but we still managed to make s'mores and the show went on...more than I could say if we had been at Disneyland! A very tiring weekend, but good to get away!


Jeff and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary on the 9th. I can't believe it's been 3 years already, but I'm looking forward to many more years to come. It was hard to celebrate it apart, but once I go up to SLO in August we'll celebrate together instead of over the phone. I consider myself very lucky to have found someone who is so supportive of me and my ambitions and dreams. Distance is never easy, but I think it could be a lot worse. We see each other often enough to make it bearable, and knowing that he's willing to wait for me to follow my dreams gives me peace of mind. I love you sweetie, and I am so lucky to have found someone as wonderful as you!

Moving on...Research is up and running! We started this past Tuesday, and I spent Tuesday and Thursday at school from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. FUN! I'm really good at taking blood pressure now too...60 people later! We had some trouble getting enough people to make the company producing the sleep video happy, but between the 60 we got and the 30 at Loma Linda, we figure 90 is close enough to 100! I'll be happy when it's over because it's a lot of time taken away from studying. Fortunately it's not every week, but pretty darn close!

Only 2 more weeks of class and then it's already time for finals! I kind of like that the term is so short, but at the same time, it's a little too fast! I'm looking forward to being in the clinics in August. Hope I make a good impression because then I might get to do one of my 2-month clinicals next year up there as well...fingers crossed! :)

Ok, that pretty much catches you up to speed. Basically, I have at least 1 test a week, and research up the wazoo. It's hot outside, it's almost the end of the term, and I'm tired. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer! I'll try to keep on top of this a little better, but no promises! :)